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Michigan Cherries

Posted on February 12, 2008February 12, 2008 by Michigan in Pictures

Michigan Cherries, photo by david_s_carter.

Although I managed to deftly overlook the first ever National Eat Red Week (Feb 4-10), there’s still time for me to save face here in the Cherry Capital of the World by reminding you that February is National Cherry Month and asking you to eat (or drink) as many of these red beauties as you can find!

Why red? Why cherries? Choose Cherries explains:

Cherries’ RED color comes from powerful antioxidant compounds called anthocyanins that studies suggest may reduce risk factors for heart disease. Recent research conducted by the University of Michigan found that a cherry-rich diet significantly lowered blood cholesterol levels and reduced triglycerides, major risk factors for heart disease.

They list a whole lot more potential benefits of eating cherries including relief of arthritis and gout, diabetes and cancer prevention and better sleep.

To those I’d add the benefits of purchasing cherries and cherry products to Michigan’s farmers who who produce 75% of our nation’s tart cherries.

A Public Service Announcement from Michigan Beaches

Posted on February 11, 2008October 2, 2009 by Michigan in Pictures

Strolling in the sand., photo by photoshoparama.

We interrupt this wild winter weather for a special message from Michigan’s beaches who remind you that – despite all appearances to the contrary – winter is not forever and they will soon return with an all-new season of sun, sand and summer fun!

Thanks to Daniel (and Quentin) for the reminder from Grand Haven State Park in April of 2007. Be sure to click to the super-size for the full, glorious effect!

We now return to Winter, already in progress…

Winter Blues at the Ludington North Breakwater Light

Posted on February 9, 2008November 12, 2015 by Michigan in Pictures

Winter Blues, photo by simply, Diann.

Diann writes What I’m really wondering is whether or not its a good idea to edit out the blue shadows that often show up in winter shots when the sun is behind the camera. She offers this shot for comparison and discussion. She also has a bunch more photos of Ludington’s lighthouse, many in the crashing seas that are referred to below! (and usually uploads her photos at desktop wallpaper size!)

Terry Pepper’s page on the Ludington North Breakwater Light has a really fascinating history of this lighthouse at the mouth of the Pere Marquette river. A lighthouse was established here in 1870 to aid in the navigation of the lumber ships that served the mills of Ludington and Pepper’s article details the trials endured by the keeper after Congress appropriated funds for the light but none for his dwelling (sound familiar?). Pepper goes on to detail the unique structure of the current North Pier Light:

Over the summer of 1924, a unique structure took shape at the end of the North Breakwater. The main tower, fabricated of steel plates over an internal steel skeleton, took the form of a four-sided pyramidal tower with four round porthole windows on each of the three decks within. With plans calling for the installation of an air diaphragm fog signal operated by an electrically powered compressor, there was no need for a large fog signal building, and thus the signal building took the form of a relatively small structure integrated into the base of the landward side of the main tower. In order to help protect the structure from the force of waves crashing across the breakwater, the concrete foundation at the base of the structure was formed with angled surfaces designed to deflect the force of wave action up and away from the building. The white painted tower was capped by a square gallery and an octagonal iron lantern installed at its center.

There’s great historical photos at the link above and if you’re a lighthouse buff, I can’t recommend Terry Pepper’s site enough. His pages on lighthouses of Michigan and the rest of the Great Lakes are the best there is.

Although Wikipedia’s entry on the Ludington Light is downright feeble, it does link to a nice set of videos of the Ludington lighthouse. There’s also this cool video of the lighthouse.

I’ve also added the Ludington Light to Absolute Michigan’s Map of Michigan.

Newspaper did get delivered

Posted on February 8, 2008February 8, 2008 by Michigan in Pictures

Newspaper did get delivered, photo by wxman1952.

mLive reported that the snowstorm of February 6, 2008 was a whopper, closing over 200 schools in Michigan and dumping up to up to 16 inches of snow fell in the Flint and Saginaw area.

Michael runs the Mid Michigan Weather web site where (among a whole lot of other weather things) you can find a discussion about the impact of the storm all over the state.

Thru the Woods on an Aero Sleigh

Posted on February 7, 2008February 7, 2008 by Michigan in Pictures

thru the woods, photo by litchard.

I’d never heard of the Wing Aero Sleigh – designed & built by Blain Wing in St. Ignace, Michigan in the 1940s – but Milton has a bunch of cool photos of the Aero Sleigh in action (slideshow)

There’s some information about how these were used from the Drummond Island Yacht Haven.

He uploaded the photos pretty large so be sure to click through check them out!

breakwater

Posted on February 5, 2008February 5, 2008 by Michigan in Pictures

breakwater, photo by Latitude 45.

Martin has three photos of the ice-shrouded Petoskey breakwater. There’s also one photo of how his dog remembers where he left the salmon, but the less said about that, the better.

Have a seat … and some Michigan eats

Posted on February 4, 2008February 4, 2008 by Michigan in Pictures

Inside the Rocket, photo by Apocaplops.

All February on Absolute Michigan we’re going to be checking out Michigan dining & restaurants on Absolute Michigan. I hope you’ll pull up a chair and help us as we try and nibble our way through Michigan!

About this photo of the Rocket Restaurant in Pontiac (home of the Monster Burger), Erich writes:

Holly thinks the SX-70 works particularly well with vintage locations like the Rocket Restaurant. The Rocket is a step back in time. I’d hazard a guess the menu and decor hasn’t changed much over the decades, but it works.

Michigan International Auto Show in Grand Rapids

Posted on February 2, 2008February 3, 2008 by Michigan in Pictures

Beach ride., photo by LedaVL.

Leda says this jeep would be her perfect beach cruiser and wonders how much fun this girl could have in the dunes with this baby. She has several more photos from the Grand Rapids auto show as well (also check out her LVL Photography blog).

The annual Michigan International Auto Show in Grand Rapids runs through Sunday (Feb 3) at DeVos Place. In addition to the latest dune conquering technology, there’s new vehicles and concepts, a display from the Gilmore Car Museum and the “Million Dollar Motorway” – featuring vehicles with retail prices over $100,000.

Absolute Michigan went to the 2007 show and brought back this multimedia feature on the Grand Rapids Auto Show that’s a great introduction to the event.